Speaker Series - In Partnership with George Mason University - A Strong Leader is a Kind Leader

Description

A Strong Leader is a Kind Leader

Philip Wilkerson, Manager of Industry Advising and Employer Development at George Mason University Career Services

“Clear is Kind”-Brene Brown. When we look at leaders, we envision strong, confident and capable people who lead others but how often do we examine the impact of kindness on a person’s leadership capabilities? In the presentation we will discuss the impact kindness has on a person who is trying to motivate and inspire others to reach their full potential.

Philip Wilkerson III. Philip has nearly 10 years of experience in higher education, including financial aid and admissions in addition to career counseling. Philip attended James Madison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History in May 2008, and began his journey into Higher Education in 2009. While in graduate school obtaining his Master’s in Education with a concentration in counseling from George Mason University, Philip took a career counseling course. It was there that he fell in love with professional development and self-discovery through one’s own professional path. To further strengthen his passion for career counseling, Philip conducted an internship at George Mason Career Services.

After graduation Philip worked at Northern Virginia Community College’s Office of Financial Aid as a Financial Aid Counselor, George Washington University as a Career Coach, and Virginia Commonwealth University as a Transfer Admissions Counselor for the Northern Virginia Region.

Currently Philip is a Manager of Industry Advising and Employer Development at George Mason University Career Services. He oversees all industries that fall under the Creative Industries umbrella. Examples of this at Mason include Media, Performing and Visual Arts, Entertainment, Journalism, Public Relations, and Graphic Design. This role serves both student and employer stakeholders, meaning Philip both collaborates with employers to make them aware of the talented students at Mason through invitations to visit campus for fairs, workshops, and unique events and meets with students to market their creative skills through personal branding (resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, etc.).

One major project Philip oversees is an annual industry week for the Creative Arts. During this week, he coordinates and manages a series of workshops and panels, highlighted by the Arts in the Real World Fair held in conjunction with the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Philip embraces social media engagement by connecting with students and employers via twitter (@PhilipW_GMU) and through an industry specific LinkedIn group page he moderates for students at Mason.

Philip is married to Maggie Wilkerson, a school social worker for Fairfax County Public Schools and has two young children (Bennett, 3 years old and Miles 8 months old). In his spare time, Philip is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc. and is affiliated with the Theta Rho Lambda Chapter and host of his own podcast Positive Philter, which discusses such topics as career development, mental health, family, relationships, and positive reframing of everyday situations.

Thank you to our annual sponsor!

This lecture is made possible in part by George Mason University's Mason Speakers program, "Connecting the University with the Community." For information on how to book a speaker visit Mason Speakers.